Book Review #40
Managing a slow reading pace with an ambitious book list feels like a challenging race against time and the art of prioritization. Autobiography of a Yogi suddenly propelled to the top of my reading list when I recently learned that Steve Jobs pre-ordered copies of the book for his memorial, and soon enough I saw chess prodigy Gukesh receiving the same book from Rajinikanth after his world championship win.
Yogananda Paramahamsa wrote the book in 1946, chronicling his life, blending personal anecdotes, mystical encounters, and timeless spiritual wisdom. A few big themes emerged for me
1️⃣ Being a relentless seeker: Ultimately only the seeker gets the wisdom. From childhood, Yogananda is consumed by a insatiable thirst for spirituality and his quest for a guru leads him to Sri Yukteshwar, the ethereal Babaji and Therese Neumann among others.
2️⃣ The Kriya Yoga: Sri Yukteshwar teaches him the practical techniques of Kriya Yoga, which is the union (yoga) with the Infinite cosmic consciousness through breath mastery. The Self Realization group even today offers this sacred science of breath & energy control, for anyone who seeks to experience the divine.
3️⃣ Interconnectedness: As we delve deeper, the autobiography transforms into a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of all things. He interweaves personal anecdotes with deep philosophical insights, revealing the underlying unity that across faiths, especially Eastern & Western faiths (Hindu, Christian, Muslim, etc.)
4️⃣ The Body's relative lack of importance: Yogananda learns from his guru that the body is a treacherous friend. Give it its due; no more. Pain and pleasure are transitory; endure all dualities with calmness. Imagination is the door through which disease as well as healing enters. Disbelieve in the reality of sickness and the unrecognized visitor will flee!
5️⃣ In your brain vs. In your being: True understanding goes beyond a large vocabulary. Sacred writings inspire inward realization when slowly absorbed, not just read. Wisdom isn’t grasped with the eyes but felt deeply within. The rishis conveyed profound truths in a single sentence that scholars debate for generations. When a truth moves from your brain to your being, you embody its meaning in a transformative way.
6️⃣ Reflections on Life’s Purpose: "Autobiography of a Yogi" helps you look beyond material existence and connect with a higher consciousness. It emphasizes meditation as a tool for self-discovery and underscores the importance of discipline, devotion, and divine will.
7️⃣ An Invitation: "Autobiography of a Yogi" is more than a biography; it is an invitation to explore the uncharted territories of our own inner being, to question our limitations, and to awaken our infinite potential.
The book cements the universal relevance of Indian spirituality which transcends dogmatic definitions of religiosity which sadly often finds appeal.
#bookreview #kriyayoga #spirituality #interfaith
